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By Charley Able • November 25th, 2009

Current and former city officials say ex-City Councilwoman and longtime civic leader Dorothy Wisecarver had a large impact on the city and it’s residents. Wisecarver died at home Wednesday at the age of 79.

City Hall awaits cost estimates on plans to upgrade the light rail stations, with the primary focus on the major train stop at Wadsworth Boulevard and West 13th Ave.

William Chris Rodgers, 22, of Lakewood is one of four people who remain in a Boise, Idaho, hospital after the van they were in slid out of control on an icy highway in Oregon last week.

A number of changes could be brewing for some Jeffco schools and the public will have the chance to comment on the ideas presented by the district’s Facilities Use Task Force. The options will be presented in a series of community meetings in the next 10 days.

Voters also turn out two school board members and reject proposals to let a number of county officials to seek a third term in a mail-in election in which less than 30 percent of voters returned ballots.

Number of suspected Jeffco flu cases is increasing rapidly, but the overall rate of infection is low, school absentee count suggests. Health agency map of the data indicates Lakewood students are among the hardest-hit.

Prosecutors say Jeffrey Dan Van used elderly Vietnamese to bilk Colorado’s Old Age Pension program out of an estimated $1 million while drawing his own disablility benefits. Van, who pleaded guilty, pocketed most of the money in the 8-year scam.

School district employees will get at least 3 percent more this year, but at least part will be a one-time payment. The formula will be determined by the state government’s fiscal picture at year’s end.

Comptroller publishes site ahead of the January deadline, despite budget contraints. But the site fails to satisy the leaders of the state’s transparency movement who say it falls short of the mark.

The $2 million+ revenue shortfalls over each of the next two years will be covered by money from the city’s savings. Some one-time fixes and a 14-week delay in a pay raise for city staff are planned. But members of the city’s budget panel expressed concern, especially about the 2010 budget forecast.

Police identify one victim as Janine Cuellar, 49, who lived at 6770 W. 14th Ave., where a fire erupted after a neighborhood-rattling argument.

Council agrees to mayor’s request to delay consideration of proposal asking voters to limit special elections. The issue is expected to remain in limbo for more than seven months.

Lakewood will pay division chief’s salary while he serves as interim police chief in Grand Junction. The assignment is expected to last into early 2010 or longer. Mayor compares loan of high-ranking officer to borrowing “a wood chipper from Golden.”

Insurance info group says last week’s storm was second most costly storm to hit Colorado. Estimate does not include commercial damage.

Damage at Jeffco schools could hit half a million dollars. Police Department warns that repair scams already are popping up in hard-hit areas of Lakewood.

County takes lead role in making financial information more easily accessible. Transparency advocates say Jeffco’s project sets a standard other governments in Colorado should meet.

Revised proposal places more control in hands of property owners instead of granting more power to RTD, CDoT and other agencies.

City Council selects a long-time city employee to take the city manager’s job when Mike Rock retires in September. Hodgson was chosen from a field of six finalists, including two other Lakewood employees.